Apparatus for backing electrotypes



(No Model.)

R. GNICHWITZ.

APPARATUS FOR BAUKING ELEGTROTYPES.

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W|TNESSESI UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

RUDOLPH GNICHWITZ, OF ASHBOURNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR BACKING ELECTROTYPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,706, datedSeptember 13, 1887.

Application tiled February 4, 1886. Serial No. 190,805. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH GNIoHwrTZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ashbourne, in the county of Montgomery, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatusfor Backing Electrotypes, which improvement is fully set forth in thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lrepresents apartial front elevation and partial vertical section of anapparatus for backing electrotypesembodyingmyinvention. Fig. 2represents a partial side elevation and partial vertical section at aright angle to that shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 represents a top or planview thereof, parts of the apparatus being removed and other parts beingin horizontal section. Fig. 4 represents a modification of part N shownin Figs. l and 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for backingeleotrotypes to a proper height for blocking or for direct use inprinting-presses-fthat is, to type-height;77 and it consists,essentially, of means for adjusting the apparatus to the work to` beaccomplished and producing the electrotypes with true, smooth, and evenbackings, avoiding shaving, straightening, Sie.

Referring to the drawings, A. represents a stand on which is mounted abed-plate, B, the tops of the sides or the top rims whereof are beveledon its inner faces, as at c, and the corners provided with pedestals orblocks C. On

the bed-plate arelugs or projections D, to which are bolted columns E,the upper ends of which support a cross-head, H,which is held inposition by nuts G, said cross-head having at its center a threadedboss, H.

J represents a vertically-arranged screw, which is fitted to the bossH,and provided with an operating-handle, K, the lower end of said handlebeing swiveled to a follower, L, whose sides have tongues L', which areguided true on the columns E.

Connected with the under side of the follower by means of screws M isaplate, N,whose lower face is a plane parallel with the bed-plate B.

Secured to the corners of the follower and overhanging the corners ofthe plate N are arms l?, to which are fitted vertically-arranged screwsQ, so located that they are in line with the abutments or blocks C ofthe bed-plate and adapted to abut thereagainst for the purpose ofadjusting the distance between the plate N and bedplate B. The bed-platehas its front rim, B', removably secured in position by means of boltsor screws R, said rim being provided with handles B2 for convenience ofdisplacing and reapplying the same.

Supported on the frame or stand,and beneath the bed-plate, is a seriesof Bunsens burners, S, or other heating device for gas or other medium,whereby the bed-plate may be heated, and also jets T for directing coldair against said bed-plate.

The operation is as follows: A templet or block of the thickness desiredin the electrotype is placed on the bed-plate B and the screw rotateduntil the plate N rests on the templet. The screws Q are now operateduntil they abut against the blocks C, and the follower is then raised toallow access to the templet,which is now removed. The electrotype orcopper shell, which is coated on its rear side with tin or solder, isthen placed on the bed-plate and the 'burners S 1ighted,so as to heatthe bed-plate until thetin or solder' melts. A sutticient quantity oftype-metal is now poured into the bed-plate andthe follower lowereduntil the screws again abut against the blocks C. The burner is nowlowered or extinguished. and cold air turned on and directed by thejetsJ against the bed# plate, thus cooling the plate or electrotype as cast.The screw is then rotated, whereby the follower is raised and the plateN cleared of the electrotype, after which the screws B are loosened andthe rim B removed. 'llhe electrotype is now withdrawn, this beingreadily accomplished,owing to the beveled sides of the bed-plate, itbeing smooth, true, and of uniform thickness and ready for blocking. Therim B is replaced and secured by the screws R, the' cold air being shutoff, if not previouslyattended to, and the burners are again lighted orturned on and the other operations repeated.

Vhen it is desired to produce electrotypes of typeheight withoutblocking, the plate N shown in Figs. l and 2 is substituted by thatshown in Fig. 4. By the use of the latter I obtain, after the adjustmentof the screws Q, an electrotype lightened by the cores N andsufliciently strong for use.

Having thus described my invention, what,

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An electrotype apparatus, substantially 5 as described, having afollower provided with arms P, with adjusting-screws Q, which areadapted to abut against the bed-plate, substantially as described. 2. Inan apparatus for backing,` electrotypes, zo a follower having adetachable under plate secured to said follower, and provided withprojecting arms having screws, in combination with a bed-plate havingcorner abutments or raised blocks, all substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

RUDOLPH GNICHWITZ.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, A. P. GRANT.

